DESPITE her stunning early exit in the last Tokyo Olympics, Filipino-Japanese judoka Kiyomi Watanabe would be able recover and try harder to qualify for the Paris Games in France in 2024, according to judo chief Dave Carter.
“I certainly believe Kiyomi will learn from her experience in Tokyo and will make it back to the Paris Olympic Games,” said Carter, referring to Watanabe’s first-round loss in the women’s 63-kilogram division of the Olympic women’s judoka tournament last July 27 at the famous Budokan Hall.
The four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist absorbed a loss by ippon (0-1) to Spain’s Cristina Perez in the round-of-32 just four days after being the national contingent’s co-flag bearer with boxer Felix Eumir Marcial during the opening rites at the Japan National Stadium.
Having been a technical delegate and match supervisor in numerous international events, Carter said that for a while he could not believe the outcome after reviewing the tape of the Watanabe’s match several times.
“Our first impulse was to go to the official’s table because it was Watanabe who initiated the attack. But, of course, our rules will not allow that,” said the Philippine Judo Federation president, who is also the Judo Union of Asia sports director.
“But further review of the tape showed that the Spanish athlete was able to sweep Kiyomi’s supporting leg as she was about to make a stomach throw. The counterattack was swift, very swift but that is how judo is,” Carter noted.
He said that since Tokyo he has had little time to communicate with the Cebu-born Watanabe, whom he felt was embarrassed by the loss to her beatable Spanish opponent considering her extensive preparations and competition in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
“Given her shy and soft-spoken nature, Kiyomi may have felt embarrassed over her Olympic performance,” said Carter of the country’s first female judoka to compete in the Summer Games.
He, however, said that given the competitive nature of Watanabe, who came back from a serious training injury in 2020, “I strongly believe she will work harder to qualify for the Paris Olympics since she will be in her prime at 29 by that time.”
Carter expressed the hope that the Philippine Sports Commission would continue to support Watanabe and the Nakano siblings, Shugen and Keisei, who are training in the Japanese capital, once they resume their international competitions next year.
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez had earlier pledged to support all 19 Tokyo Olympians as well as the athletes who tried to qualify for Tokyo in their bid for the Paris Olympics.
